Madelyn briefly considered pouring everything out to him. The man had saved her life. And he seemed so trustworthy that she wanted to confide in him. It would be so nice to have someone to talk to about her fears.
But she had to focus on the bigger picture right now. She came here to do a job. Her heart was starting to mess all of that up.
“I have no idea why someone would want me dead. I’m just a reporter. I mostly do travel pieces, nothing too controversial. Your guess is as good as mine.” She hoped her words sounded convincing. She rubbed her cheek as she formulated what to say next. “To be honest, I’m scared.”
They were some of the truest words Madelyn had muttered since she’d arrived here.
Her words seemed to soften the chief. His shoulders relaxed and his voice sounded lower. “I know you’re scared. I would be, too. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”
“Thank you, Chief. I can’t tell you how much better that makes me feel.”
His gaze caught hers. He gingerly touched her chin and tilted her head toward him. “You have a small cut on your temple.”
As her skin came alive, she sucked in a breath. She reached for her wound and felt the blood there. In her rush of adrenaline, she hadn’t even noticed.
After examining her one more minute, Zach opened his door. “Let’s go inside and get you cleaned up before we get back to the crime scene. Hopefully, Tyler is already there and preserving the area.”
He climbed out before she had the chance to argue. Madelyn scrambled out behind him, uncomfortable with being left alone, no matter how illogical it might be. When she stepped into Zach’s house, she froze, expecting to feel fear again at the blood she’d seen last time she was here.
But Zach had cleaned it up after recording all the evidence. The place looked homey now.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Zach said. “I’ll be right back.”
Madelyn lingered in the kitchen until he emerged from the back hallway, a first-aid kit in hand. He set it on the counter, pulled out some ointment and a Band-Aid.
“Should I tell you this is going to sting a little?”
“Understood.” Despite that understanding, she still flinched as the medicine-drenched gauze hit her forehead.
“I tried to warn you.”
She opened her eyes and sucked in a breath. She’d known Zach would be close, but she hadn’t expected the whoosh of attraction at his nearness.
His face was near enough that she could see the flecks in his blue eyes. She spotted a wayward curl that had drifted onto his forehead. She caught a whiff of his woodsy cologne. Something about the combination made her feel off balance.
What would it be like to kiss him?
She jerked with surprise as soon as the thought entered her mind. Where had that come from? She had no business thinking like that. No business at all. She was writing an article that would destroy the man’s life potentially. She had to get a grip, especially in light of her true intentions.
“Whoa. Everything okay?” His eyes narrowed in curiosity and concern.
Good. He thought her reaction was from the ointment. She’d let him continue to think that. The idea of him knowing her real thoughts seemed too horrifying.
“Just a little squeamish,” she said.
“Almost done.”
As he stretched the Band-Aid across her wound, she closed her eyes—lest her thoughts get the best of her again. Finally, Zach patted it in place and stepped back.
She swallowed hard. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about it. It’s really just a scratch.”
“It could have been so much worse.”
As he pulled back, she forced her eyes open. Mistake. Zach’s eyes were studying her, remaining on her long enough that she squirmed.
“I have a question for you,” he started.
“Shoot.”
“Is this yours?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. He held it up, balanced between his index and middle fingers.
Her eyes widened when she saw her handwriting scribbled there. Her words. His information. The slip of paper Madelyn had lost. Her cheeks burned. “You caught me.”
He waited, not saying anything.
“I have a terrible memory, so I write down a lot. Eva Rogers, 56 years old, degree from the local community college, two sons and three granddaughters. Mayor Bill Alan. 58 years old. Considered a real-estate mogul. Self-taught—or self-made, as he says. Used money from his inheritance to start buying up properties in the area when they were still cheap. Should I go on?”
Zach stared at her a moment, as if trying to gauge the truth in her words. Had he bought it? Her words were partially the truth. She liked to do her research and have her facts straight. She had researched other people in town before she came. But she’d especially researched Zach. She didn’t have to tell him that, though.
“But you wrote my information down?” he asked.
She shrugged. “I wrote down material about everyone. I just happened to drop yours.”
He finally nodded, as if he accepted her answer. “I see.”
“I know it seems strange,” she offered feebly.
“We all have our methods.” He nodded toward the door. “Anyway, we need to go look at your apartment now. See if any evidence was left behind after those bullets went flying.”
She let out the breath she’d been holding. He’d bought it. Thank goodness.
But just as quickly as she relaxed, she remembered her apartment—the overturned couches and tables and broken dishes. The gunshot had temporarily taken that out of her mind. There was still a lot on the line here.
It was too soon to start feeling safe.
EIGHT
Zach and Tyler worked the scene of the shooting, as well as the breaking and entering at Madelyn’s apartment.
Three bullets had been fired. One was embedded in the outside wall of Madelyn’s apartment, only inches from where she’d exited her apartment.
“Strangest case I’ve ever seen.” Tyler paused and observed the scene in the parking lot, shaking his head.
The officer was in his midtwenties. He was tall with tanned skin and a full head of dark hair. The man was good-looking and he knew it. He’d grown up in the town, and people here loved him. He’d become somewhat of a local celebrity several years ago when he’d made a national calendar featuring the hottest law enforcement officers on the East Coast.
Zach had been surprised when he’d started to actually like Tyler. He wasn’t the sharpest officer Zach had ever met, but he was faithful. Tyler had told Zach when he’d arrived in town that he had no desire to be chief, that he didn’t want that responsibility. The two seemed to work well together.
The few misdemeanors they’d had to handle since Zach arrived had been simple. But with this surge in crime over the past few days, Zach found himself longing for someone more experienced than Tyler as his lone officer. He supposed this crime spree would prove what Tyler was really made of.
“Someone wasn’t trying to steal anything. I’m not even convinced they’re trying to kill Madelyn. I think someone wants to scare her,” Zach said.
“Why would someone want to scare her?” Tyler scratched his head, his eyes concealed by sunglasses even though the sun was below the edge of the buildings.
“That’s what we need to figure out.”
“Maybe she’s hiding something.”
Zach glanced around. A good-sized crowd had gathered around the area. Crime-scene tape had been strung along the perimeter, blocking off the area to any passersby. This shooting spree would be the talk of the town, and how Zach handled it would set a precedent for the rest of his time here in Waterman’s Reach.
Zach wasn’t intimidated. He knew how to handle himself in stres
sful situations. He only hated how unsettled all of this left him feeling.
His gaze traveled across the parking lot. Madelyn sat on a nearby bench, stoically watching everything as it happened. The woman appeared shell-shocked, and Zach couldn’t blame her. She’d been through a lot today. And yesterday for that matter. And the day before.
Maybe she’s hiding something.
Tyler had voiced the idea out loud, but Zach had wondered that himself plenty of times. What did Madelyn know that she wasn’t sharing?
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Levi Watson, the town’s former chief, approaching him. Great. This was just what Zach needed. The man always tried to tell Zach how he would handle things, and it extended to everything from parking violations to the hours Zach kept.
Levi Watson was large, all the way from his shoulders to his oversized stomach. He still had a shock of black hair that contrasted with his ruddy, wrinkled face. Around those he liked, the man was jolly and full of goodwill. But for those not on Levi’s favorable side, his stormy demeanor was sure to bring on a headache. He liked to make things difficult for those who didn’t support him or his ideas.
“I heard we had a shooting.” Levi surveyed the scene around him, raising his nose with disdain. He paused from his negative demeanor for long enough to wave at one of his friends who passed by.
Zach nodded. “That’s correct.”
“In my twenty-three years as chief, we only had one shooting, and that was out at someone’s home in a domestic dispute. Never in downtown.”
“Someone decided that today would be the day to challenge that record.” Zach had learned to let what Chief Watson said roll off his back. The man was looking for a reason to fuss and to prove Zach was incompetent. He’d wanted his nephew Tyler to get the job.
“Any idea who’s responsible?” Levi continued.
“At this point, no. We’re still tracking some leads.”
He nodded, a little too smugly. Somehow, in Levi’s mind, all of this was Zach’s fault. “If you need my assistance, let me know. I’d be happy to step in.”
“I appreciate the offer. Now, if you don’t mind, I should get back to work.” Zach nodded toward the scene. Tyler was talking to the crowd, trying to ease their fears. Meanwhile, Zach needed to get these bullets in for ballistics testing. He was curious to know if they matched the one that was fired at him in the woods.
“Of course.”
With that, Zach approached Madelyn. There was no need for her to sit out here any longer. They were almost ready to wrap up and go back to the office.
“Your place is clear if you want to go back up,” he told her. “We’ve done our best to help straighten it up, and Tyler told the mayor what had happened, so he’s aware of the situation.”
She nodded weakly, uncrossing her legs and straightening. “I appreciate that.”
Something about the way she said the words led him to believe that she was scared but trying to be tough. Zach could admire that. It was a sign of strength to be able to push past fears.
“I also had Tyler change the locks,” Zach continued. “There was no sign of forced entry, which made us wonder if somehow the person who broke in had a key to the place.”
“Maybe a friend of Mayor Alan’s? Or maybe they rented it before and made a copy?”
“We’re hoping to figure that out.” Zach stepped closer. “If it makes you feel better, there are a couple of bed-and-breakfasts in town. I’m sure we could house you at one of those if you’d be more comfortable.”
Madelyn stood, slowly shaking her head. She stared at the house and frowned again. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll be careful.”
“These threats are only escalating. If, at any time, you feel like you’re in danger, call me and I’ll be here. Okay?” He meant it. He felt a duty to keep an eye on her. This was his town, she was a guest here and she didn’t deserve to be terrorized like this.
Her eyes widened with some unreadable emotion at his offer. The sentiment behind her reaction looked like more than fear, but he couldn’t identify it exactly.
Finally, she smiled, though the action looked stiff and forced. “I will. I promise.”
* * *
The truth remained that staying by herself was the last thing that Madelyn wanted. She wanted to run from this place, from this town, from Zach Davis and the way he made her feel so safe and protected. He made her emotions feel bipolar. In one moment, she felt secure with him. The next moment, she thought for sure her life was in danger when he was close.
But she couldn’t run. This could be her big break. This was her chance to prove to Paula that she had a career in journalism. This was her chance to make an impact in the world by ensuring that justice was served. She was disappointed in herself that she hadn’t had more time to investigate. At this point, she’d mostly been running for her life and questioning her own assumptions.
She’d never make it as a reporter if she kept letting her emotions take control. Maybe deep down inside, Zach was a nice guy who’d made some bad choices. That didn’t mean he shouldn’t have consequences for his actions.
Right now Madelyn sat in bed with her knees pulled to her chest. She’d turned the light off—begrudgingly, at that—and now she sat in the dark. A sliver of light crept in through the window, probably from one of the streetlights outside.
Every little creak made her jump. Every shadow from a passing vehicle made the air leave her lungs. Her imagination was working overtime as she pictured the man who’d shown up on her first day here showing up again. Making good on his promise. Sending her another message about how she wasn’t welcome in this town.
She heard another creak, and her chest muscles tightened.
Was it the building settling? Buildings did that, right? That’s what she’d always heard.
Or was someone in the apartment?
Her throat went dry at the thought of someone else invading her space. In here, there was no one to hear her scream. No one was living downstairs right now, and she hadn’t seen anyone in either of the houses beside her. Her impression was that they were summer homes for retired couples who lived in Florida during the winter.
No, someone could kill her up here and her body wouldn’t be discovered for hours. Days maybe. Until maybe Eva or Zach caught wind that she was gone, even though her car was still outside.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt the whiz of the bullet sweeping by her. She felt Zach’s strong arms covering her. She remembered her absolute fear.
If someone was trying to scare her, he was doing a good job.
Another squeak sounded. Was it closer this time? Maybe the hallway?
She pulled the covers up higher, hating the fact that she felt like a little girl. Only, when she was a little girl, she’d had her daddy to protect her. What she wouldn’t give to have him in her life now. She missed him and her mom every day.
But they weren’t here anymore, so she had to act like the grown woman she was.
How many creaks would it take before she took action? She couldn’t just sit here and wait to be a victim.
Her limbs trembled as she stood from her bed. She could hardly breathe. But she needed to prove to herself that this duplex was safe.
She pulled on her robe and grabbed the knife she’d put on her nightstand. It had been the only weapon she’d been able to find. At the last minute, she slipped her cell phone into her pocket.
She’d call Zach if she had to. But she didn’t want to be the woman who cried wolf when there was really no danger. Her paranoia may be getting the best of her.
After all, before she’d gone to bed, she’d checked all of the doors and even the windows. Zach had even had Tyler change the front lock for her. So why didn’t she feel secure?
Maybe she should have taken Zach’s suggestion a
nd stayed at a bed-and-breakfast for the evening. But would she be safe there even? Was there anywhere she’d be safe? Madelyn wasn’t sure.
After drawing in a deep breath, she stepped out of the bedroom. Her gaze flickered around the hallway. She expected to see a figure lurking in the shadows. But the area was empty.
What had that noise been?
Madelyn would never know if she stayed here. She slowly stepped forward, remaining close to the wall and on alert. She felt hypersensitive as survival instinct kicked in.
A pattering sounded in the distance. Madelyn threw herself against the wall, nearly clawing into the plaster. Her heart pounded in her ears as fear began to take control.
She flung her head toward the sound, desperate for answers. The balcony, she realized. That was where the noise had come from. As she eased into the living room, she stared at the French doors, waiting for a sign of what was happening.
She nearly laughed when she saw the plants on the balcony swaying, along with an outside curtain.
It was just the wind, she realized. The breeze from the bay had scattered sand onto the glass windowpanes. The curtain flapped against the glass.
The sound was louder than she’d imagined. But at least Madelyn could rest easy now. All she’d been hearing was an approaching storm.
With slow steps she started back to her room. The events of the past couple of days were playing with her mind and making her hear things that weren’t there. How much longer would she live in paranoia like this?
She rounded the corner toward the hallway when someone lunged from the darkness. The knife flew from her hand as strong arms pinned her in place.
Madelyn gasped, the air leaving her lungs as her body slammed into the wall. Pain throbbed in her head, but she ignored it.
A man wearing all black stared back at her. All Madelyn could see were his eyes, and they were pools of darkness.
Her heartbeat ratcheted out of control at the sight. They were the eyes of a killer, she realized. Fear tried to paralyze her at the thought.
“You have no place here,” the man grumbled. “You only want to start trouble.”
Dark Harbor Page 7
